Press release, Jan. 5, 2004

Monday, January 5, 2004

Contact: Office of Communications 404-651-7774

Governor Perdue Submits Supplemental FY04 Budget to Joint Appropriations Committee of the House and Senate

Atlanta - Before the Joint Appropriations Committee of the State House and Senate, Governor Sonny Perdue today submitted his supplemental Fy04 budget to the General Assembly. The budget reflects Governor Perdue's top priorities - children, education, and job creation. The Governor's main budget principles of priority based budgeting and responsible stewardship of taxpayer dollars form the core of his budget recommendations.
"Georgians still face tough choices about how to stretch a dollar, about what necessities they must fund, and what things they can do without until later," said Governor Sonny Perdue. "As stewards of the public treasury, we face those same decisions. And we must approach our decisions with the same care that Georgians bring to their family finances."
In August 2003, Governor Perdue directed that all state agencies identify 2.5% in additional cuts to the Fy04 budget for the mid-year supplemental. Highlights of the Governor's supplemental budget include:
Protecting Georgia 's Children

As promised, $18.1 million is included to fully fund PeachCare. These additional funds will cover
growth in enrollment and reimburse doctors and hospitals for care provided beyond the original appropriation.
$12.9 million in additional funding for the Department of Family and Children Services (DFCS) to
implement a new "Level of Care" placement system that will be more focused on the unique needs of children in the child protection system.

Strengthening and Improving Education

Education is a priority where 2.5% will not be cut. The recommendations include a midterm
adjustment to the QBE formula of $118 million - reflecting a 1.75% growth in enrollment.
The education budget also includes $8.8 million for a mid-term adjustment to equalization grants for
poorer schools, $1.8 million of additional funding for Criterion Reference Competency testing in support of education accountability, and $9 million in lottery funding to the Office of School Readiness to meet increased enrollment in the Pre-K program.

Jobs for Georgians

The budget maintains QuickStart and the Equity and Edge programs at the current funding level. Most programs for economic recovery and job creation will be reflected in the Fy05 budget
recommendations.

"I am confident that my supplemental Fy04 budget recommendations meet those principles of taking care of children, education, jobs, bringing greater efficiency to government, and living within our means," said Governor Perdue.
During his remarks, Governor Perdue also announced the December 2003 revenue figures. Net revenue collections for the month of December 2003 (Fy04) totaled $1,106,290,000 compared to $1,072,438,000 for December 2002 (Fy03), an increase of $33,852,000 or a disappointing 3.2%. The percentage increase yearto-date for Fy04 compared to Fy03 is 4.2%.
"I see this as a blip in our path to recovery, but it highlights the need to budget very conservatively for Fy2004 and Fy2005," said Governor Perdue.
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